The US embassy in Dublin has said it "regrets any inconvenience" caused to actor Ruaidhrí Conroy, who was denied entry to the US last week because he had overstayed a previous visa by two days.
Conroy had travelled to attend the Oscars ceremony on Sunday evening, but was denied admission to the US on arrival at Los Angeles. He is starring in Martin McDonagh's film, Six Shooter, which won the Oscar for for live action short film.
In a statement yesterday, the embassy said Conroy's was a recurring problem. It reminded prospective visitors that any citizen from a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) country - which includes the Republic and most European states - who violated the terms of the VWP must obtain a visa for any future visit.
"This process is simple, but should be undertaken by any VWP traveller who knows he/she has overstayed a visa in the United States previously."
While "a very small number" of travellers may be permanently ineligible for visas, in most cases the visa would be issued quickly, the embassy said.
The Republic has a pre- departure clearance arrangement for travel to the US, under which officials from the US Department of Homeland Security check all documents before passengers board their flights in Ireland. For citizens of other European states, this clearance takes place on arrival. Conroy left for Los Angeles from London, therefore had not been cleared before boarding his flight.